Ìý Warner Brothers can at times be a little stingy with the features they put on DVDs. But every now and again they bring out a release that redeems them entirely. "Rebel Without a Cause" is one such disc and it should be in your collection.
The restoration and transfer onto DVD of this film is superb and it brings an essentially great drama right up to date on a technical level. That's good news, for it allows a whole new generation to enjoy this occasionally far-fetched movie without having to suffer a poor print, panning and scanning, or mono sound.
The film was originally to be shot in black and white but Jack Warner ordered a re-shoot in colour after three days when he realised the hit that he had on his hands. The then expensive Warner Color process is gloriously bright and intensive on this disc. Scenes in the police station in chapter two or the street scene in six are stunningly pristine and fresh.
The sound score has been upgraded to a 5.1 mix. It's far from the busiest but the music is sensibly balanced around the speakers and scenes like the 'chicken run' in chapter 16 have added impact.
The extras alone make this disc a worthwhile investment. A fascinating featurette contains anecdotes, deleted scenes and screen tests that include a young Dennis Hopper! Also included are three Warner Brothers promotional featurettes from the time of release that play like episodes of "The Twilight Zone". Their bizarre staged interviews make for great entertainment, not least the one with an ultra-moody James Dean. This disc represents a great night's entertainment and is one that you'll want to own.
Chapters: 35
Ratio: 2.55.1
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Extra Features: Scene selection, trailer, featurette, "Warner Brothers Presents" TV excerpts, multiple languages and subtitles, English and Italian for the hearing impaired.
